In the period immediately before and after being admitted to the Arctic Council as formal observers in 2013, five states in the Asia-Pacific, namely China, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, were faced with the difficult task of demonstrating their
commitment to engaging with the Arcti region in many areas of development and governance, while also dispelling concerns from the Arctic states that their interest in the circumpolar north was being guided solely by economic and strategic interests. Faced with these challenges, the “Asia-Arctic Five” (AA5) opted to pursue expanded “scientific diplomacy” in the Arctic, including constructing research bases and exploration vessels, as well as developing scientific cooperation with Arctic overnments and other local actors. These endeavours have been varied but largely successful, but pressure remains on the five states to continue to demonstrate their Arctic identities even as they deepen their economic interests in the region.

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